EXPRESS FALL TO STATESMEN

GENEVA, N.Y. - The Hobart soccer team opened the 2011 season breezing to a 4-0 win over visiting Wells College in a non-conference game played tonight on Boswell Field at the Caird Center for Sports and Recreation. The game marked the first meeting between the Statesmen and the Express (0-1) and was the first ever home night game for Hobart soccer.

Junior Reuben Burk (Westford, Mass/Westford Academy) led Hobart with two goals in the win. Senior Charlie Hale (Winchester, Mass./Winchester) started in goal for the Statesmen and made one save. Senior Alex Witherell (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Deering) came in to play the second half. David Kaus played all 90 minutes in goal for Wells and finished with 10 stops.

After controlling the ball for the majority of the first half, the Statesmen broke through in the 34th minute. Senior Tony Yeboah (Portland, Maine/Deering) sent a short crossing pass from the right side to find Burk right out in front of the goal. Burk was able to fire a shot just out of the goalie's reach and into the back of the net to put the Statesmen up 1-0.

With six seconds left in the opening period. Burk struck again. This time it was first-year Josh Galidenz-Webb (Rochester, N.Y./Pittsford Mendon) who set-up the play, putting Hobart up 2-0 heading into the break.

The Statesmen continued to control the ball in the second half. Just 15 seconds in, junior Alex Kittelberger sent a short, quick pass to junior Will Abbott (Irvington, N.Y./Riverdale Country Day) who stretched Hobart's lead to 3-0. With 6:40 left in regulation, the Statesmen capitalized soon after a corner kick. Senior Andres Rios (East Elmhurst, N.Y./Great Neck North) earned the assist on a goal by sophomore Eli Vitale (Red Creek, N.Y./Red Creek).

Hobart out-shot the Express 29-1 and held a 13-0 advantage in corner kicks.